U.S. patent application number 13/824102 was filed with the patent office on 2014-12-11 for power supply method, charging control device, and power supply system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Yoshihito Ishibashi, Yoshiaki Kumagai, Tetsu Natsume, Masahiro Suzuki, Shigeru Tajima, Daisuke Yamazaki. Invention is credited to Yoshihito Ishibashi, Yoshiaki Kumagai, Tetsu Natsume, Masahiro Suzuki, Shigeru Tajima, Daisuke Yamazaki.
Application Number | 20140361734 13/824102 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45831491 |
Filed Date | 2014-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140361734 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yamazaki; Daisuke ; et
al. |
December 11, 2014 |
POWER SUPPLY METHOD, CHARGING CONTROL DEVICE, AND POWER SUPPLY
SYSTEM
Abstract
There is provided a power supply method including an initial
setting step of performing, by a charging control device, initial
setting on a plurality of battery devices each including a
secondary cell therein and a charging device performing contactless
power transmission to transmit power to the battery devices that
are provided in a stacked manner, a power transmission instruction
step of providing, by the charging control device, an instruction
to start the contactless power transmission from the charging
device subjected to the initial setting in the initial setting step
to the battery devices, a contactless power transmission step of
performing the contactless power transmission from the charging
device to the battery devices and a charging completion step of
notifying, when charging of the battery devices is completed, the
charging control device of completion of the charging by the
battery devices.
Inventors: |
Yamazaki; Daisuke;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Suzuki; Masahiro; (Kanagawa,
JP) ; Natsume; Tetsu; (Chiba, JP) ; Ishibashi;
Yoshihito; (Tokyo, JP) ; Tajima; Shigeru;
(Kanagawa, JP) ; Kumagai; Yoshiaki; (Kanagawa,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yamazaki; Daisuke
Suzuki; Masahiro
Natsume; Tetsu
Ishibashi; Yoshihito
Tajima; Shigeru
Kumagai; Yoshiaki |
Kanagawa
Kanagawa
Chiba
Tokyo
Kanagawa
Kanagawa |
|
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SONY CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
45831491 |
Appl. No.: |
13/824102 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
September 6, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2011/070263 |
371 Date: |
April 9, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/108 ;
320/137 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H02J 7/0042 20130101;
H02J 7/00712 20200101; H02J 7/0013 20130101; H02J 7/007 20130101;
H02J 50/10 20160201; H02J 7/00 20130101; H01M 10/46 20130101; H01M
10/44 20130101; H02J 50/80 20160201; H02J 50/12 20160201; Y02E
60/10 20130101; H02J 50/40 20160201; H02J 5/005 20130101; H01M
10/425 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/108 ;
320/137 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/02 20060101
H02J007/02; H02J 7/00 20060101 H02J007/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 17, 2010 |
JP |
2010-209771 |
Claims
1. A power supply method comprising: an initial setting step of
performing, by a charging control device, initial setting on a
plurality of battery devices each including a secondary cell
therein and a charging device performing contactless power
transmission to transmit power to the battery devices that are
provided in a stacked manner; a power transmission instruction step
of providing, by the charging control device, an instruction to
start the contactless power transmission from the charging device
subjected to the initial setting in the initial setting step to the
battery devices; a contactless power transmission step of
performing the contactless power transmission from the charging
device to the battery devices; and a charging completion step of
notifying, when charging of the battery devices is completed, the
charging control device of completion of the charging by the
battery devices, wherein, after the charging completion step, a
transmission instruction step is performed, in which the charging
control device instructs the charging device to start the
contactless power transmission to the battery device different from
the battery devices instructed to transmit the power in the power
transmission instruction step.
2. The power supply method according to claim 1, wherein, in the
contactless power transmission step, the charging device performs
the power transmission sequentially from the battery device stacked
on a lower side.
3. The power supply method according to claim 1, wherein, in the
initial setting step, identification information used to
individually identify the plurality of battery devices and the
charging device is transmitted from the plurality of battery
devices and the charging device to the charging control device.
4. A power supply method comprising: an initial setting step of
performing, by a charging control device, initial setting on a
plurality of battery devices each including a secondary cell
therein and a charging device performing contactless power
transmission to transmit power to the battery devices that are
provided in a stacked manner; a power transmission instruction step
of providing, by the charging control device, an instruction to
start the contactless power transmission from the battery devices
subjected to the initial setting in the initial setting step to the
charging device; a contactless power transmission step of
performing the contactless power transmission from the battery
devices to the charging device; and a transmission completion step
of notifying, by the battery devices, the charging control device
that the power transmission is completed, when a voltage of the
secondary cell of battery device becomes equal to or less than a
predetermined value, wherein, after the transmission completion
step, a transmission instruction step is performed, in which the
charging control device instructs the battery device different from
the battery devices instructed in the power transmission
instruction step to start the contactless power transmission to the
charging device.
5. The power supply method according to claim 4, wherein, in the
contactless power transmission step, the power transmission is
performed on the charging device sequentially from the battery
device stacked on a lower side.
6. The power supply method according to claim 4, wherein, in the
initial setting up, identification information used to individually
identify the plurality of battery devices and the charging device
is transmitted from the plurality of battery devices and the
charging device to the charging control device.
7. A charging control device comprising: an initial setting unit
that performs initial setting on a plurality of battery devices
each including a secondary cell therein and a charging device
performing contactless power transmission to transmit power to the
battery devices that are provided in a stacked manner; a power
transmission instruction unit that provides an instruction to start
the contactless power transmission from the charging device
subjected to the initial setting by the initial setting unit to the
battery devices; and a charging completion notification acquisition
unit that acquires a charging completion notification from the
battery devices whose charging is completed, wherein, after the
charging completion notification acquisition unit acquires the
completion notification, the power transmission instruction unit
instructs the charging device to start the contactless power
transmission to the battery device different from the battery
devices previously instructed to transmit the power.
8. A charging control device comprising: an initial setting unit
that performs initial setting on a plurality of battery devices
each including a secondary cell therein and a charging device
performing contactless power transmission to transmit power to the
battery devices that are provided in a stacked manner; a power
transmission instruction unit that provides an instruction to start
the contactless power transmission from the battery devices
subjected to the initial setting by the initial setting unit to the
charging device; and a power transmission completion notification
acquisition unit that acquires a power transmission completion
notification transmitted from the battery device when a voltage of
the secondary cell of the battery device becomes equal to or less
than a predetermined value, wherein, after the power transmission
completion notification acquisition unit acquires the completion
notification, the power transmission instruction unit instructs the
battery device different from the battery devices previously
instructed to transmit the power, to start the contactless power
transmission to the charging device.
9. A power supply system comprising: a plurality of battery devices
each including a secondary cell therein; a charging device that
performs contactless power transmission to transmit power to the
battery devices that are provided in a stacked manner; and a
charging control device that controls the contactless power
transmission between the battery devices and the charging device,
wherein the charging control device includes an initial setting
unit that performs initial setting on the battery devices and the
charging device, a power transmission instruction unit that
provides an instruction to start the contactless power transmission
from the charging device subjected to the initial setting by the
initial setting unit to the battery devices, and a charging
completion notification acquisition unit that acquires a charging
completion notification from the battery device whose charging is
completed, and wherein, after the charging completion notification
acquisition unit acquires the completion notification, the power
transmission instruction unit instructs the charging device to
start the contactless power transmission to the battery device
different from the battery devices previously instructed to
transmit the power.
10. A power supply system comprising: a plurality of battery
devices each including a secondary cell therein; a charging device
that performs contactless power transmission to transmit power to
the battery devices that are provided in a stacked manner; and a
charging control device that controls the contactless power
transmission between the battery devices and the charging device,
wherein the charging control device includes an initial setting
unit that performs initial setting on the battery devices and the
charging device, a power transmission instruction unit that
provides an instruction to start the contactless power transmission
from the battery devices subjected to the initial setting by the
initial setting unit to the charging device, and a power
transmission completion notification acquisition unit that acquires
a power transmission completion notification transmitted from the
battery device when a voltage of the secondary cell of the battery
device becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, and
wherein, after the power transmission completion notification
acquisition unit acquires the completion notification, the power
transmission instruction unit instructs the battery device
different from the battery devices previously instructed to
transmit the power to start the contactless power transmission to
the charging device.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a power supply method, a
charging control device, and power supply system.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Existing power systems are designed to transmit power
generated by power plants to offices or homes via power networks
constructed of electric substations, power wires, and the like.
Accordingly, to realize power transmission to offices and homes,
reliable power networks constructed to transmit power generated by
power plants are a prerequisite. Most of the power supply systems
of the related art are also designed on the assumption that
reliable power networks are installed.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
[0003] In nations or areas in which such power supply systems and
power distribution infrastructures are not constructed, however,
there is a problem that it is difficult to apply the power supply
systems without change. Further, the cost of the power distribution
are not considerably lowered even in areas such as developing
nations in consideration of power plants, power substations, power
distribution infrastructures, and the like. Since it is difficult
to maintain power distribution in a workable level from the
viewpoint of the economy in such the nations or areas, there is a
problem that the infrastructure may not be sufficient or, in the
worst case, power failure may occur.
[0004] It is expensive to install power wires and supply power to
each home in such areas. Further, since power may not be necessary
during the day, there is a high probability that appropriate
returns from the installation of the power wires in each home may
not be obtained.
[0005] The present invention is devised in view of the
above-mentioned program, an object of the present invention is to
provide a novel and improved power supply method, a novel and
improved charging control device, and a novel and improved power
supply system of which users can use energy when the users desire
to use the energy, which are easy to increase or decrease, and of
which initial investment of infrastructures can be reduced.
Solution to Problem
[0006] The present invention is provided to solve the
above-mentioned issues. According to an embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided power supply method including an
initial setting up of performing, by a charging control device,
initial setting on a plurality of battery devices each including a
secondary cell therein and a charging device performing contactless
power transmission to transmit power to the battery devices that
are provided in a stacked manner, a power transmission instruction
step of providing, by the charging control device, an instruction
to start the contactless power transmission from the charging
device subjected to the initial setting in the initial setting step
to the battery devices, a contactless power transmission step of
performing the contactless power transmission from the charging
device to the battery devices, and a charging completion step of
notifying, when charging by the battery devices is completed, the
charging control device of completion of the charging by the
battery devices. After the a transmission instruction step is
performed, in which, the charging control device may instruct the
charging device to start the contactless power transmission to the
battery device different from the battery devices instructed to
transmit the power in the step of providing the instruction to
start the contactless power transmission.
[0007] In the contactless power transmission step, the charging
device may perform the power transmission sequentially from the
battery device stacked on a lower side.
[0008] In the initial setting step, identification information used
to individually identify the plurality of battery devices and the
charging device may be transmitted from the plurality of battery
devices and the charging device to the charging control device.
[0009] Further, the present invention is provided to solve the
above-mentioned issues. According to another embodiment of the
present invention, there is provided a power supply method
including an initial setting step of performing, by a charging
control device, initial setting on a plurality of battery devices
each including a secondary cell therein and a charging device
performing contactless power transmission to transmit power to the
battery devices that are provided in a stacked manner, a power
transmission instruction step of providing, by the charging control
device, an instruction to start the contactless power transmission
from the battery devices subjected to the initial setting in the
initial setting step to the charging device, a contactless power
transmission step of performing the contactless power transmission
from the battery devices to the charging device, and a transmission
completion step of notifying, by the battery devices, the charging
control device that the power transmission is completed, when a
voltage of the secondary cell of battery device becomes equal to or
less than a predetermined value. After the transmission completion
step, a transmission instruction step is performed, a transmission
instruction step is provided in which the charging control device
may instruct the battery device different from the battery devices
instructed in the power transmission instruction step to start the
contactless power transmission to the charging device.
[0010] In the contactless power transmission step, the contactless
power transmission may be performed on the charging device
sequentially from the battery device stacked on a lower side.
[0011] In the initial setting step, identification information used
to individually identify the plurality of battery devices and the
charging device may be transmitted from the plurality of battery
devices and the charging device to the charging control device.
[0012] Further, the present invention is provided to solve the
above-mentioned issues. According to another embodiment of the
present invention, there is provided a charging control device
including an initial setting unit that performs initial setting on
a plurality of battery devices each including a secondary cell
therein and a charging device performing contactless power
transmission to transmit power to the battery devices that are
provided in a stacked manner, a power transmission instruction unit
that provides an instruction to start the contactless power
transmission from the charging device subjected to the initial
setting by the initial setting unit to the battery devices, and a
charging completion notification acquisition unit that acquires a
charging completion notification from the battery device whose
charging is completed. After the charging completion notification
acquisition unit acquires the completion notification, the power
transmission instruction unit may instruct the charging device to
start the contactless power transmission to the battery device
different from the battery devices previously instructed to
transmit the power.
[0013] Further, the present invention is provided to solve the
above-mentioned issues. According to another embodiment of the
present invention, there is provided a charging control device
including an initial setting unit that performs initial setting on
a plurality of battery devices each including a secondary cell
therein and a charging device performing contactless power
transmission to the battery devices that are provided in a stacked
manner, a power transmission instruction unit that provides an
instruction to start the contactless power transmission from the
battery devices subjected to the initial setting by the initial
setting unit to the charging device, and a power transmission
completion notification acquisition unit that acquires a power
transmission completion notification transmitted from the battery
device when a voltage of the secondary cell of the battery device
becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value. After the
power transmission completion notification acquisition unit
acquires the power transmission completion notification, the power
transmission instruction unit may instruct the battery device
different from the battery devices previously instructed to
transmit the power to start the contactless power transmission to
the charging device.
[0014] Further, the present invention is provided to solve the
above-mentioned issues. According to another embodiment of the
present invention, there is provided a power supply system
including a plurality of battery devices each including a secondary
cell therein, a charging device that performs contactless power
transmission to the battery devices that are provided in a stacked
manner, and a charging control device that controls the contactless
power transmission between the battery devices and the charging
device. The charging control device may include an initial setting
unit that performs initial setting on the battery devices and the
charging device, a power transmission instruction unit that
provides an instruction to start the contactless power transmission
from the charging device subjected to the initial setting by the
initial setting unit to the battery devices, and a charging
completion notification acquisition unit that acquires a charging
completion notification from the battery device whose charging is
completed. After the charging completion notification acquisition
unit acquires the completion notification, the power transmission
instruction unit may instruct the charging device to start the
contactless power transmission to the battery device different from
the battery devices previously instructed to transmit the
power.
[0015] Further, the present invention is provided to solve the
above-mentioned issues. According to another embodiment of the
present invention, there is provided a power supply system
including a plurality of battery devices each including a secondary
cell therein, a charging device that performs contactless power
transmission to transmit power to the battery devices that are
provided in a sacked manner, and a charging control device that
controls the contactless power transmission between the battery
devices and the charging device. The charging control device may
include an initial setting unit that performs initial setting on
the battery devices and the charging device, a power transmission
instruction unit that provides an instruction to start the
contactless power transmission from the devices subjected to the
initial setting by the initial setting unit to the charging device,
and a power transmission completion notification acquisition unit
that acquires a power transmission completion notification
transmitted from the battery devices when a voltage of the
secondary cell of the battery devices becomes equal to or less than
a predetermined value. After the power transmission completion
notification acquisition unit acquires the power transmission
completion notification, the power transmission instruction unit
may instruct the battery device different from the battery devices
previously instructed to transmit the power, to start the
contactless power transmission to the charging device.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0016] According to the embodiments of the present invention
described above, it is possible to provide a power supply method of
which users can use energy when the users desire to use the energy,
which are easy to increase or decrease, and of which initial
investment of infrastructures can be reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example of the overall
configuration of a power supply system 1 according to an embodiment
of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 2A is an illustration of the outer appearance of a
charging device 120 according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 2B is an illustration of the outer appearance of the
charging device 120 according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 2C is an illustration of the outer appearance of the
charging device 120 according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 2D is an illustration of the outer appearance of the
charging device 120 according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 3A is an illustration of another structure of the
charging device 120.
[0023] FIG. 3B is an illustration of another structure of the
charging device 120.
[0024] FIG. 3C is an illustration of another structure of the
charging device 120.
[0025] FIG. 3D is an illustration of another structure of the
charging device 120.
[0026] FIG. 4A is an illustration of the outer appearance of a
battery device 200.
[0027] FIG. 4B is an illustration of the outer appearance of the
battery device 200.
[0028] FIG. 4C is an illustration of the outer appearance of the
battery device 200.
[0029] FIG. 5A is an illustration of the structure of a charging
control device 110.
[0030] FIG. 5B is an illustration of the structure of the charging
control device 110.
[0031] FIG. 5C is an illustration of the structure of the charging
control device 110.
[0032] FIG. 5D is an illustration of the structure of the charging
control device 110.
[0033] FIG. 5E is an illustration of the structure of the charging
control device 110.
[0034] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an installation example when
contactless power feeding between the charging device 120 and the
battery device 200 is performed.
[0035] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an installation example when
contactless power feeding between a charging device 120' and the
battery device 200 is performed.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the outer
appearance of a battery device 300a.
[0037] FIG. 9A is an illustration of the outer appearance of the
battery device 300a.
[0038] FIG. 9B is an illustration of the outer appearance of the
battery device 300a.
[0039] FIG. 9C is an illustration of the outer appearance of the
battery device 300a.
[0040] FIG. 9D is an illustration of the outer appearance of the
battery device 300a.
[0041] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a functional configuration of
the charging device 120.
[0042] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a functional configuration of
the battery device 200.
[0043] FIG. 12A is an illustration of the overview of contactless
power transmitting and receiving processes for power between the
charging device 120 and the battery devices 200 according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] FIG. 12B is an illustration of the overview of the
contactless power transmitting and receiving processes for power
between the charging device 120 and the battery devices 200
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] FIG. 12C is an illustration of the overview of the
contactless power transmitting and receiving processes for power
between the charging device 120 and the battery devices 200
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 13A is an illustration of the overview of contactless
power transmitting and receiving processes for power between the
charging device 120 and the battery devices 200 according to the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0047] FIG. 13B is an illustration of the overview of the
contactless power transmitting and receiving processes for power
between the charging device 120 and the battery devices 200
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] FIG. 13C is an illustration of the overview of the
contactless power transmitting and receiving processes for power
between the charging device 120 and the battery devices 200
according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] FIG. 14 is an illustration of the outer appearance of a
charging tray 400.
[0050] FIG. 15 is an illustration of a state in which battery
devices 300a are installed in the charging tray 400 to charge the
battery devices 300a.
[0051] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration
of a charging control device 110 according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0052] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the overview of an
operation of the power supply system 1 according to the embodiment
of the present invention.
[0053] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the
power supply system 1 according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0054] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the
power supply system 1 according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0055] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the appended
drawings. Note that, in this specification and the drawings,
elements that have substantially the same function and structure
are denoted with the same reference signs, and repeated explanation
is omitted.
[0056] The description will be made in the following order.
[0057] <1. Embodiment of the Present Invention>
[0058] [1-1. Example of Overall Configuration of Power Supply
System]
[0059] [1-2. Example of Specific Structure of Each Device]
[0060] [1-3. Charging and Discharging Control Processes]
[0061] <2. Application Examples>
[0062] <3. Summarization>
1. Embodiment of the Present Invention
1-1. Example of Overall Configuration of Power Supply System
[0063] First, an example of the overall configuration of a power
supply system according to an embodiment of the present invention
will be described. FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example of the
overall configuration of a power supply system 1 according to the
embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the example of
the overall configuration of the power supply system 1 according to
the embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIG. 1.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, the power supply system 1 according to
the embodiment of the present invention includes a charging control
system 100 and battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c.
[0065] The charging control system 100 charges the battery devices
200, 300a, 300b, and 300c by receiving the supply of power
generated by a power plant 10, power generated when the solar cell
20 receives irradiation of sun-light, and power generated when the
wind power generator 30 receives wind power and supplying the power
to the battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c.
[0066] Needless to say, the power supplied for the charging control
system 100 is, of course, not limited to the power generated by the
power plant 10, power generated when the solar cell 20 receives
irradiation of sun-light, and power generated when the wind power
generator 30 receives wind power. The charging control system 100
can receive the power generated by other natural energy.
[0067] The charging control system 100 includes a charging control
device 110 and a charging device 120, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0068] The charging control device 110 controls supply of the power
from the charging device 120 to the battery devices 200, 300a,
300b, and 300c and also controls reception of the power from the
battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c to the charging device
120. The charging control device 110 controls the supply of the
power, so that the amount of power necessary in the battery devices
200, 300a, 300b, and 300c can be stored.
[0069] The charging control device 110 may superimpose information
on the power when the charging control device 110 supplies the
power from the charging device 120 to the battery devices 200,
300a, 300b, and 300c. By supplying the power on which the
information is superimposed from the charging device 120 to the
battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c, the information
superimposed on the power can be output to devices connected to the
battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c when the power stored in
the battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c is used.
[0070] Accordingly, the charging control device 110 preferably has
a communication scheme by which wireless communication with the
battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c is performed therein. As
the wireless communication scheme, for example, communication using
radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, a wireless
communication scheme standardized in conformity with IEEE 802.15,
and a short-range wireless communication scheme (Zigbee)
standardized in conformity with IEEE 802.15.4 may be used.
[0071] The charging device 120 supplies the power to the battery
devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c or receives the power from the
battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c. The supply of the power
from the charging device 120 to the battery devices 200, 300a,
300b, and 300c and the reception of the power from the battery
devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c to the charging device 120 are
all performed according to a power transmission scheme (wireless
power transmission) in which electrodes are not physically
connected to each other.
[0072] Examples of the wireless power transmission include power
transmission types such as an electromagnetic induction type and a
magnetic resonance type. The electromagnetic induction type is
better than the magnetic resonance type in a power transmission
efficiency, but a coil of a power feeding side and a coil of a
power receiving side have to face each other. On the other hand,
the magnetic resonance type is worse than the electromagnetic
induction type in the power transmission efficiency, but has the
advantage that a power transmission distance is longer than in the
electromagnetic induction type.
[0073] In the embodiment of the present invention, the wireless
power transmission type is not particularly limited. As will be
described below, however, the magnetic resonance type is preferably
used in consideration of the fact that the plurality of battery
devices 200 are stacked on the charging device 120 so that each of
the battery devices 200 can be charged.
[0074] Accordingly, the charging device 120 preferably has a
communication scheme by which wireless communication is performed
with the charging control device 110 or the battery devices 200,
300a, 300b, and 300c therein. As the wireless communication scheme,
for example, communication using radio frequency identification
(RFID) technology , a wireless communication scheme standardized in
conformity with IEEE 802.15, and a short-range wireless
communication scheme (Zigbee) standardized in conformity with IEEE
802.15.4 may be used.
[0075] The battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c each include a
secondary cell therein. Therefore, by supplying the power from the
charging device 120 through wireless power transmission, the power
can be stored in the internal secondary cell.
[0076] The battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c can supply the
stored power to the charging device 120 under the control of the
charging control device 110. Accordingly, the battery devices 200,
300a, 300b, and 300c preferably have a communication scheme by
which wireless communication is performed with the charging control
device 110 or the charging device 120 therein. As the wireless
communication scheme, for example, communication using radio
frequency identification (RFID) technology , a wireless
communication scheme standardized in conformity with IEEE 802.15,
and a short-range wireless communication scheme (Zigbee)
standardized in conformity with IEEE 802.15.4 may be used.
[0077] The charging control system 100 or the battery devices 200,
300a, 300b, and 300c preferably have the communication scheme
therein, as described above, and may communicate with the outside
to inform the outside of the states of the secondary cells
installed inside the battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c
using the communication scheme.
[0078] The shapes of the charging control device 110, the charging
device 120, and the battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c will
be described in detail below. The battery devices 300a, 300b, and
300c are smaller than the battery device 200 in size and have
easily portable shapes. The battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and
300c can be extracted for use in each home or the like after the
battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c are charged by the
charging control system 100. Therefore, when the capacity of each
internal secondary cell is completely consumed or is reduced, the
battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c can be brought to a place
at which the charging control system 100 is installed to be charged
by the charging control system 100.
[0079] For example, the charging control system 100 can be
installed in a public facility of a school, a government office, a
hospital or the like, to which power is normally supplied. The
secondary cells included in the battery devices 200, 300a, 300b,
and 300c can be charged by the charging control system 100
installed in the facility to which the power is normally
supplied.
[0080] In the battery device 200, for example, sixteen lithium-ion
secondary cells connected in series therein are connected in
parallel in eight rows. Needless to say, the kinds or number of
secondary cells according to the embodiment of the present
invention is, of course, not limited to the above example.
[0081] Thus, since the power supply system 1 has the
above-described configuration, a user can use electric energy when
the user desires to use the electric energy. Further, since the
power supply system 1 is easy to increase or decrease and it is not
necessary to install power wires, the initial investment of
infrastructures can be reduced.
[0082] The example of the overall configuration of the power supply
system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention has
been described with reference to FIG. 1. Next, an example of a
specific structure of each device of the power supply system 1
shown in FIG. 1 will be described.
1-2. Example of Specific Structure of Each Device
[0083] FIGS. 2A to 2D are illustrations of the outer appearance of
the charging device 120 according to the embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 2A is a top view illustrating the charging device
120 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2B
is a side view illustrating the charging device 120 according to
the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2C is a front view
illustrating the charging device 120 according to the embodiment of
the present invention. FIG. 2D is a rear view illustrating the
charging device 120 according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0084] As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the charging device 120
according to the embodiment of the present invention has a
substantially regular hexagonal shape. As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D,
the charging device 120 according to the embodiment of the present
invention has a substantially regular hexagonal hollow hole 121 in
a substantially middle portion of the plane. The charging device
120 includes a convex portion 122 protruding by a predetermined
height from the plane around the hole 121.
[0085] Thus, by forming the hole 121 and the convex portion 122 in
the charging device 120, the battery device 200 can be stably
installed in the charging device 120, when the battery device 200
is stacked on the charging device 120 and is charged.
[0086] As shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D, the charging device 120
according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an
input terminal 123 that is supplied with power and an output
terminal 124 that outputs the power. The charging device 120
receives, from the input terminal 123, power generated by the power
plant 10, power generated when the solar cell 20 receives
irradiation of sun-light, and power generated when the wind power
generator 30 receives wind power. The charging device 120 supplies
the received power to the battery device 200. Needless to say, the
positions of the input terminal 123 and the output terminal 124
are, of course, not limited to the positions shown in the
drawings.
[0087] FIGS. 3A to 3D are illustrations of another structure of the
charging device 120 according to the embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 3A is a top view illustrating a charging device
120' according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3B
is a side view illustrating the charging device 120' according to
the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3C is a front view
illustrating the charging device 120' according to the embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 3D is a bottom view illustrating the
charging device 120' according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0088] The charging device 120' has a shape which can be inserted
into a hole 201 of the battery device 200 to be described below.
Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, the charging device 120'
includes an input terminal 123' and an output terminal 124' that
are installed in an upper portion of a main body 125 having a
substantially regular hexagonal bottom surface, and includes a
locking portion 126 that has a substantially regular hexagonal
shape larger than the substantially regular hexagonal shape of the
bottom surface of the main body 125. The input terminal 123' and
the output terminal 124' are terminals that are provided with power
and output the power, as in the input terminal 123 and the output
terminal 124 described above.
[0089] By inserting the charging device 120' into the hole 201 of
the battery device 200, contactless power transmission and
reception between the charging device 120' and the battery device
200 can be realized. Further, the contactless power transmission
and reception mentioned here refer to movement of electric energy
without physical contact realized by connectors or the like.
[0090] FIGS. 4A to 4C are illustrations of the structure of the
battery device 200 according to the embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 4C is a top view illustrating the battery device
200 according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4B
is a side view illustrating the battery device 200 according to the
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4C is a front view
illustrating the battery device 200 according to the embodiment of
the present invention.
[0091] As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the battery device 200 according
to the embodiment of the present invention has a substantially
regular hexagonal shape. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, the battery
device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention has
the substantially regular hexagonal hollow hole 201 in the middle
portion of the plane. The battery device 200 has a guide portion
202 around the hole 201.
[0092] The size of the plane of the battery device 200 is the same
as that of the plane of the charging device 120. The battery device
200 can face the charging device 120 so that the regular hexagonal
shapes are maintained and overlap each other in a plan view.
[0093] The battery device 200 preferably has a size in which
sixteen lithium-ion secondary cells connected in series therein are
connected in parallel in eight rows therein, as described above.
The size of one lithium-ion battery is, for example, 26 mm in
diameter and 65 mm in length.
[0094] In the battery device 200, a circuit that supplies power to
the lithium-ion secondary cells, a coil that receives power from
the charging device 120 or discharges the power to the charging
device 120, a wireless communication unit that performs wireless
communication with the charging control device 110, or the like are
installed in addition to the lithium-ion secondary cells.
Accordingly, the battery device 200 also preferably has a size in
which the circuit, the coil, the wireless communication unit, or
the like can be installed in addition to the lithium-ion secondary
cells.
[0095] The guide portion 202 can pivot vertically in the direction
in which the substantially regular hexagonal hole 201 is hollow.
When the battery device 200 is stacked on the charging device 120,
the guide portion 202 is configured to protrude by a predetermined
height from the plane of the battery device 200. Thus, the battery
device 200 can be stably stacked on the charging device 120. The
battery device 200 can be stacked on the charging device 120,
irrespective of the front and rear surfaces of the battery device
200.
[0096] The outsides of the charging device 120 and the battery
device 200 are preferably formed of an integrally molded resin such
as plastic. This is because the outsides of the charging device 120
and the battery device 200 are preferably formed of a material
having durability, a water-proof property, and dust resistance,
since the charging device 120 and the battery device 200 are
assumed to be used for a long time and be carried outside.
[0097] By inserting the charging device 120' into the hole 201 of
the battery device 200, as described above, the contactless power
transmission and reception between the charging device 120' and the
battery device 200 can be also performed under the control of the
charging control device 110.
[0098] Various methods of using the power stored in the secondary
cells included in the battery device 200 can be considered. For
example, the power stored in the secondary cells included in the
battery device 200 may be extracted for use through the contactless
power transmission. Further, a terminal (not shown) used to output
power may be included in the battery device 200 and the power may
be extracted for use from the terminal.
[0099] Handles 203 are formed in side surfaces of the battery
device 200. Since the handles 203 are formed in the side surfaces
of the battery device 200, the battery device 200 can be easily
carried. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, a pair of handles 203 may be
formed on the side surfaces facing each other or a handle may be
formed at least in one side surface.
[0100] FIGS. 5A to 5E are illustrations of the structure of the
charging control device 110 according to the embodiment of the
present invention. FIG. 5A is a top view illustrating the charging
control device 110. FIG. 5B is a front view illustrating the
charging control device 110. FIG. 5C is a rear view illustrating
the charging control device 110. FIG. 5D is a side view
illustrating the charging control device 110. FIG. 5E is a bottom
view illustrating the charging control device 110.
[0101] The charging control device 110 according to the embodiment
of the present invention includes a wireless communication unit,
and thus communicates with the charging device 120 or the battery
device 200 to control the charging between the charging device 120
and the battery device 200.
[0102] As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5E, the charging control device 110
according to the embodiment of the present invention has a plane
with a substantially regular hexagonal shape. The charging control
device 110 can be fitted into the hole 201 of the battery device
200, when contactless power feeding between the charging device 120
and the battery device 200 is performed.
[0103] FIG. 6 is an illustration of an installation example, when
the contactless power feeding between the charging device 120 and
the battery device 200 is performed, and illustrates a state in
which the battery device 200 is stacked on the charging device 120
and the charging control device 110 is inserted into the hole 201
of the battery device 200. Thus, by stacking the battery device 200
on the charging device 120, the contactless power feeding between
the charging device 120 and the battery device 200 can be
performed, so that the battery device 200 can be charged. Further,
by installing the charging control device 110 into the hole 201 of
the battery device 200, the contactless power feeding between the
charging device 120 and the battery device 200 can be controlled in
the space in which the charging device 120 can be installed.
[0104] FIG. 7 is an illustration of an installation example when
the contactless power feeding between the charging device 120' and
the battery device 200 is performed, and illustrating a state in
which the charging device 120' is inserted into the hole 201 of the
battery device 200. In FIG. 7, the charging control device 110 is
not shown.
[0105] As shown in FIG. 7, by inserting the charging device 120'
into the hole 201 of the battery device 200, the contactless power
feeding between the charging device 120' and the battery device 200
can also be realized under the control of the charging control
device 110, so that the battery device 200 can be charged.
[0106] Next, the outer appearance of the battery device 300a
according to the embodiment of the present invention will be
described. FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating the outer
appearance of the battery device 300a according to the embodiment
of the present invention. FIGS. 9A to 9D are a top view, a front
view, a side view, and a bottom view illustrating the battery
device 300a according to the embodiment of the present invention,
respectively.
[0107] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A to 9D, the battery device 300a
according to the embodiment of the present invention is a
rectangular cylinder having a bottom surface with a substantially
regular hexagonal shape. As will be described below, by arranging
the battery device 300a over the charging device 120 or the battery
device 200, the contactless power feeding from the charging device
120 is realized. Accordingly, the battery device 300a includes a
power reception unit such as a coil by which contactless power
transmission and reception with the charging device 120 or the
battery device 200 can be realized.
[0108] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A to 9D, the battery device 300a
has a handle 301 used to easily carry the battery device 300a. As
shown in FIG. 9D, the battery device 300a includes a supporting
member 302. A hole in which the supporting member 302 is installed
can be fitted into a convex portion 401 of a charging tray 400 to
be described below. When the battery device 300a is installed in
the charging tray 400, the supporting member 302 protrudes by a
predetermined height from the upper surface of the battery device
300a. Using the supporting member 302, the battery device 300a can
be stacked on or arranged in the charging tray 400 to be described
below.
[0109] Various methods of using the power stored in the secondary
cells included in the battery device 300a can be considered. For
example, the power stored in the secondary cells included in the
battery device 300a may be extracted for use through the
contactless power transmission. Further, a terminal (not shown)
used to output power may be included in the battery device 300a and
the power may be extracted for use from the terminal.
[0110] The battery device 300a may be charged through the battery
device 200. In order to charge the battery device 300a through the
battery device 200, the charging tray 400 to be described below may
first be placed on the battery device 200 and the battery device
300a may be installed in the charging tray 400.
[0111] The outer appearance of the battery device 300a according to
the embodiment of the present invention has been described. Next,
charging and discharging control performed by the charging control
system 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention
will be described.
1-3. Charging and Discharging Control Processes
[0112] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a functional configuration of
the charging device 120 according to the embodiment of the present
invention. Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the
charging device 120 according to the embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIG. 10.
[0113] As shown in FIG. 10, the charging device 120 according to
the embodiment of the present invention includes a coil 131, a
power reception circuit 132, a power source unit 133, and a power
transmission circuit 134.
[0114] The coil 131 performs contactless power transmission and
reception to and from a coil located at a distant position.
Specifically, the battery device 200 is placed on the charging
device 120. Therefore, when a charging process starts under the
control of the charging control device 110, the power can be
transmitted and received between the coil 131 and a coil 211 of the
battery device 200 to be described below.
[0115] Regardless of how the battery device 200 is placed on the
charging device 120, the coil 131 is preferably wound inside the
charging device 120 so that the entire surface on which the battery
device 200 is placed is covered centering on a hollow portion of
the charging device 120, in order to perform the contactless power
transmission and reception between the coil 131 of the charging
device 120 and the coil 211 of the battery device 200.
[0116] The power reception circuit 132 is a circuit that performs
contactless power reception or detects that the coil 131 receives
the power. Although not illustrated, the power reception circuit
132 includes a capacitor having a predetermined capacity or a
resistor having a predetermined resistance value in order to
perform the contactless power reception. The battery device 200 can
be placed on the charging device 120. Therefore, when the charging
process is performed under the control of the charging control
device 110, the power reception circuit 132 supplies the power
received by the coil 131 to the power source unit 133. Then, when
the power reception circuit 132 detects that the amount of power
stored in the power source unit 133 reaches a predetermined amount,
the supply of the power received by the coil 131 to the power
source unit 133 is stopped.
[0117] The power source unit 133 is a unit that can store the power
to be supplied to the battery device 200 via the power transmission
circuit 134 and the coil 131. The power source unit 133 may be
configured such that the power supplied from the outside of the
charging device 120 is supplied to the battery device 200 via the
power transmission circuit 134 and the coil 131, or a battery
having a given capacity may be installed inside.
[0118] The power transmission circuit 134 is a unit that outputs
the power from the power source unit 133 to the coil 131 in order
to supply the power to the battery device 200. Although not
illustrated, the power transmission circuit 134 includes a
capacitor having a predetermined capacity or a resistor having a
predetermined resistance value in order to perform the contactless
power transmission. The battery device 200 can be placed on the
charging device 120. Therefore, under the control of the charging
control device 110, when the charging device 120 starts the
charging process of charging the battery device 200, the power
transmission circuit 134 outputs the power from the power source
unit 133 to the coil 131. When the power from the power source unit
133 is output to the coil 131 by the power transmission circuit 134
and a current thus flows in the coil 131, the contactless power
feeding between the charging device 120 and the battery device 200
starts.
[0119] The functional configuration of the charging device 120
according to the embodiment of the present invention has been
described with reference to FIG. 10. Next, a functional
configuration of the battery device 200 according to the embodiment
of the present invention will be described.
[0120] FIG. 11 is an illustration of the functional configuration
of the battery device 200 according to the embodiment of the
present invention. Hereinafter, the functional configuration of the
battery device 200 according to the embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIG. 11.
[0121] As shown in FIG. 11, the battery device 200 according to the
embodiment of the present invention includes a coil 211, a power
reception circuit 212, a power storage unit 213, and a power
transmission circuit 214.
[0122] The coil 211 performs contactless power transmission and
reception to and from a coil located at a distant position.
Specifically, the battery device 200 is placed on the charging
device 120. Therefore, when a charging process starts under the
control of the charging control device 110, the power can be
transmitted and received between the coil 211 and a coil 131 of the
charging device 120.
[0123] The power reception circuit 212 is a circuit that performs
contactless power reception or detects that the coil 211 receives
the power. Although not illustrated, the power reception circuit
212 includes a capacitor having a predetermined capacity or a
resistor having a predetermined resistance value in order to
perform the contactless power reception. The battery device 200 can
be placed on the charging device 120. Therefore, when the charging
process is performed under the control of the charging control
device 110, the power reception circuit 212 supplies the power
received by the coil 211 to the power storage unit 213. Then, when
the power reception circuit 212 detects that the amount of power
stored in the power storage unit 213 reaches a predetermined
amount, the supply of the power received by the coil 211 to the
power storage unit 213 is stopped.
[0124] The power storage unit 213 stores the power received by the
coil 211 and supplied from the power reception circuit 212. The
power stored in the power storage unit 213 can be supplied to the
outside via the power transmission circuit 214 and the coil 211.
Accordingly, the power storage unit 213 may be configured by a
secondary cell that has a predetermined capacity.
[0125] The power transmission circuit 214 is a unit that outputs
the power from the power storage unit 213 to the coil 211 in order
to supply the power from the coil 211 to the outside (for example,
the charging device 120). Although not illustrated, the power
transmission circuit 214 includes a capacitor having a
predetermined capacity or a resistor having a predetermined
resistance value in order to perform the contactless power
transmission. The battery device 200 can be placed on the charging
device 120. Therefore, when the process of transmitting the power
from the battery device 200 to the charging device 120 starts under
the control of the charging control device 110, the power
transmission circuit 214 outputs the power from the power storage
unit 213 to the coil 211. When the power from the power storage
unit 213 is output to the coil 211 by the power transmission
circuit 214 and a current thus flows in the coil 211, the
contactless power feeding between the charging device 120 and the
battery device 200 starts.
[0126] The functional configuration of the battery device 200
according to the embodiment of the present invention has been
described with reference to FIG. 11. Next, power transmission and
reception between the charging device 120 and the battery device
200 will be described according to the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0127] FIGS. 12A to 12C are illustrations of the overview of the
contactless power transmission and reception between the charging
device 120 and the battery devices 200 according to the embodiment
of the present invention. FIGS. 12A to 12C show a case in which
three battery devices 200 are stacked on the charging device 120
and the contactless power transmission and reception between the
charging device 120 and the three battery devices 200 are performed
under the control of the charging control device 110. Next, the
contactless power transmission and reception between the charging
device 120 and the battery devices 200 will be described with
reference to FIGS. 12A to 12C according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0128] Hereinafter, the description will be made on the assumption
that the three battery devices 200 are stacked in the order of
battery devices 200a, 200b, and 200c from the lower side.
[0129] In FIGS. 12A to 12C, an operation in which contactless power
transmission from the charging device 120 to the battery devices
200 is performed under the control of the charging control device
110 is shown. First, the charging control device 110 communicates
with the charging device 120 and the battery devices 200 and
performs initial setting to collect information regarding the
charging device 120 and the battery devices 200. The initial
setting may include a process of acquiring the number of battery
devices 200 stacked on the charging device 120 and a process of
designating a sequence in which the battery devices 200 are
charged.
[0130] An identification number may be allocated to the charging
device 120. Alternatively, a storage unit such as a memory may be
prepared inside the charging device 120 and the identification
number of the charging device 120 may be retained in the storage
unit.
[0131] When the plurality of battery devices 200 are present, an
identification number may be allocated to each of the battery
devices 200 so that the battery devices 200 can be individually
identified. Alternatively, a storage unit such as a memory may be
prepared inside each battery device 200 and the identification
number of each battery device 200 may be retained in the storage
unit.
[0132] In the initial setting, the identification numbers retained
in the charging device 120 or the battery devices 200 may be
transmitted to the charging control device 110. By transmitting the
identification numbers from the charging device 120 or the battery
devices 200 to the charging control device 110, the charging
control device 110 can understand how much the charging device 120
outputs the power to charge the battery devices 200 or how much of
the power is used by which battery device 200.
[0133] When the charging control device 110 understands the power
use status of the individual charging device 120 or battery devices
200, for example, the charging control device 110 can determine the
battery device 200 to be preferentially charged or understand a
power use amount necessary for an accounting process for users of
the individual battery devices 200.
[0134] When the charging control device 110 completes the initial
setting, the charging device 120 continuously performs the
contactless power transmission to the lowermost stacked battery
device 200a.
[0135] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12A, the power
transmission circuit 134 of the charging device 120 operates to
transmit the power from the power source unit 133 to the lowermost
stacked battery device 200a via the coil 131.
[0136] The battery device 200a receiving the power transmitted from
the charging device 120 through the contactless power transmission
via the coil 211 causes the power reception circuit 212 to send the
power to the power storage unit 213. Thus, the power storage unit
213 of the battery device 200a can store the power transmitted from
the charging device 120 through the contactless power transmission
therein.
[0137] When the power reception circuit 212 detects that the
charging of the power in the power storage unit 213 is completed,
the battery device 200a transmits a charging completion
notification to the charging control device 110 to inform the
charging control device 110 of the completion of the charging. When
the charging control device 110 receives the charging completion
notification from the battery device 200a, the charging control
device 110 notifies the charging device 120 of switch of the power
transmission destination from the battery device 200a to the
battery device 200b.
[0138] In the charging device 120 notified of the switch of the
power transmission destination by the charging control device 110,
the power transmission circuit 134 of the charging device 120
operates to transmit the power from the power source unit 133 to
the second stacked battery device 200b from the lower side via the
coil 131.
[0139] The battery device 200b receiving the power transmitted from
the charging device 120 through the contactless power transmission
via the coil 211 causes the power reception circuit 212 to send the
power to the power storage unit 213. Thus, the power storage unit
213 of the battery device 200b can store the power transmitted from
the charging device 120 through the contactless power transmission
therein.
[0140] When the power reception circuit 212 detects that the
charging of the power in the power storage unit 213 is completed,
the battery device 200b transmits a charging completion
notification to the charging control device 110 to inform the
charging control device 110 of the completion of the charging. When
the charging control device 110 receives the charging completion
notification from the battery device 200b, the charging control
device 110 notifies the charging device 120 of switch of the power
transmission destination from the battery device 200b to the
battery device 200c.
[0141] In the charging device 120 notified of the switch of the
power transmission destination by the charging control device 110,
the power transmission circuit 134 of the charging device 120
operates to transmit the power from the power source unit 133 to
the uppermost stacked battery device 200c via the coil 131.
[0142] The battery device 200c receiving the power transmitted from
the charging device 120 through the contactless power transmission
via the coil 211 causes the power reception circuit 212 to send the
power to the power storage unit 213. Thus, the power storage unit
213 of the battery device 200c can store the power transmitted from
the charging device 120 through the contactless power transmission
therein.
[0143] Thus, when the power transmission and reception between the
charging device 120 and the battery device 200 are performed
according to the embodiment of the present invention, the charging
device 120 can selectively switch the power transmission
destination among the plurality of battery devices 200. As a method
of selectively switching the power transmission destination, the
charging device 120 can use, for example, a method of changing a
frequency used in the contactless power transmission.
[0144] The contactless power transmission and reception between the
charging device 120 and the battery device 200 according to the
embodiment of the present invention have been described with
reference to FIGS. 12A to 12C.
[0145] Next, contactless power transmission and reception between
the charging device 120 and the battery devices 200 according to
the embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIGS. 13A to 13C.
[0146] FIGS. 13A to 13C are illustrations of the overview of the
contactless power transmission and reception between the charging
device 120 and the battery devices 200 according to the embodiment
of the present invention. FIGS. 13A to 13C show a case in which
three battery devices 200 are stacked on the charging device 120
and the contactless power transmission and reception are performed
from the three battery devices 200 to the charging device 120 under
the control of the charging control device 110. Next, the
contactless power transmission and reception between the charging
device 120 and the battery devices 200 will be described with
reference to FIGS. 13A to 13C according to the embodiment of the
present invention.
[0147] Hereinafter, the description will be made on the assumption
that the three battery devices 200 are stacked in the order of
battery devices 200a, 200b, and 200c from the lower side.
[0148] In FIGS. 13A to 13C, an operation in which contactless power
transmission from the battery devices 200 to the charging device
120 is performed under the control of the charging control device
110 is shown. First, the charging control device 110 communicates
with the charging device 120 and the battery devices 200 and
performs initial setting to collect information regarding the
charging device 120 and the battery devices 200. The initial
setting may include a process of acquiring the number of battery
devices 200 stacked on the charging device 120 and a process of
designating a sequence in which the battery devices 200 performing
the power transmission are charged.
[0149] An identification number may be allocated to the charging
device 120. Alternatively, a storage unit such as a memory may be
prepared inside the charging device 120 and the identification
number of the charging device 120 may be retained in the storage
unit.
[0150] When the plurality of battery devices 200 are present, an
identification number may be allocated to each of the battery
devices 200 so that the battery devices 200 can be individually
identified. Alternatively, a storage unit such as a memory may be
prepared inside the battery device 200 and the identification
number of each battery device 200 may be retained in the storage
unit.
[0151] In the initial setting, the identification numbers retained
in the charging device 120 or the battery devices 200 may be
transmitted to the charging control device 110. By transmitting the
identification numbers from the charging device 120 or the battery
devices 200 to the charging control device 110, the charging
control device 110 can understand how much each battery device 200
outputs the power to charge the charging device 120 or how much of
the power is used by which battery device 200.
[0152] When the charging control device 110 understands the power
use status of the individual charging device 120 or battery devices
200, for example, the charging control device 110 can determine
which battery device 200 the power is preferentially transmitted
from or understand a power use amount necessary for a refund
process for users of the individual battery devices 200.
[0153] When the charging control device 110 completes the initial
setting, the lowermost stacked battery device 200a continuously
performs the contactless power transmission to the charging device
120.
[0154] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 13A, the power
transmission circuit 214 of the battery device 200a operates to
transmit the power from the power storage unit 213 to the charging
device 120 via the coil 211.
[0155] The charging device 120 receiving the power transmitted from
the battery device 200a through the contactless power transmission
via the coil 131 causes the power reception circuit 132 to send the
received power to the power source unit 133. Thus, the power source
unit 133 of the charging device 120 can store the power transmitted
from the battery device 200a through the contactless power
transmission therein or discharge the power to the outside of the
charging device 120.
[0156] When the power transmission circuit 214 of the battery
device 200a detects that the discharging of the power from the
power storage unit 213 is completed or the power stored in the
power storage unit 213 becomes equal to or less than a
predetermined amount of power, the battery device 200a transmits a
power transmission completion notification to the charging control
device 110 to inform the charging control device 110 of the
completion of the power transmission. When the charging control
device 110 receives the power transmission completion notification
from the battery device 200a, the charging control device 110
notifies the battery device 200b of power transmission to the
charging device 120.
[0157] In the battery device 200b receiving the power transmission
instruction notification from the charging control device 110, the
power transmission circuit 214 of the battery device 200b operates
to transmit the power from the power storage unit 213 to the
charging device 120 via the coil 211.
[0158] The charging device 120 receiving the power transmitted from
the battery device 200b through the contactless power transmission
via the coil 131 causes the power reception circuit 132 to send the
received power to the power source unit 133. Thus, the power source
unit 133 of the charging device 120 can store the power transmitted
from the battery device 200b through the contactless power
transmission therein or discharge the power to the outside of the
charging device 120.
[0159] When the power transmission circuit 214 of the battery
device 200b detects that the discharging of the power from the
power storage unit 213 is completed or the power stored in the
power storage unit 213 becomes equal to or less than a
predetermined amount of power, the battery device 200b transmits a
power transmission completion notification to the charging control
device 110 to inform the charging control device 110 of the
completion of the power transmission. When the charging control
device 110 receives the power transmission completion notification
from the battery device 200b, the charging control device 110
notifies the battery device 200c of power transmission to the
charging device 120.
[0160] In the battery device 200c receiving the power transmission
instruction notification from the charging control device 110, the
power transmission circuit 214 of the battery device 200c operates
to transmit the power from the power storage unit 213 to the
charging device 120 via the coil 211.
[0161] The charging device 120 receiving the power transmitted from
the battery device 200c through the contactless power transmission
via the coil 131 causes the power reception circuit 132 to send the
received power to the power source unit 133. Thus, the power source
unit 133 of the charging device 120 can store the power transmitted
from the battery device 200c through the contactless power
transmission therein or discharge the power to the outside of the
charging device 120.
[0162] Thus, when the power transmission and reception process
between the charging device 120 and the battery device 200 are
performed according to the embodiment of the present invention, the
charging device 120 can selectively receive the power through the
contactless reception from the plurality of battery devices 200. As
a method of selectively receiving the power through the contactless
reception, the charging device 120 can use, for example, a method
of changing a frequency used in the contactless power
transmission.
[0163] The contactless power transmission and reception between the
charging device 120 and the battery device 200 according to the
embodiment of the present invention have been described with
reference to FIGS. 13A to 13C.
[0164] Next, an installation example of the battery device 300a
according to the embodiment of the present invention when the
battery device 300a is charged will be described. FIG. 14 is an
illustration of the outer appearance of the charging tray 400 in
which the battery device 300a is installed when the battery device
300a according to the embodiment of the present invention is
charged. FIG. 15 is an illustration of a state in which the battery
devices 300a are installed in the charging tray 400 to charge the
battery devices 300a.
[0165] In the charging tray 400 shown in FIG. 14, seven convex
portions 401 are formed, as shown in FIG. 14. When the supporting
member 302 of each battery device 300a shown in FIG. 9D is fitted
into the convex portion 401, the supporting member protrudes by a
predetermined height. Thus, the battery devices 300a can be stably
installed in the charging tray.
[0166] The charging tray 400 shown in FIG. 14 has a plane with the
same substantially regular hexagonal shape as the charging device
120 and the battery device 200. The size of the plane of the
charging tray 400 is the same as that of the charging device 120
and the battery device 200. Accordingly, when there is an area in
which the charging device 120 can be installed placing the charging
tray 400 on the charging device 120 or the battery device 200, the
battery devices 300a installed in the charging tray 400 can be
charged.
[0167] Changing of the battery devices 300a, as described above,
may be performed through the battery device 200. In order to charge
the battery devices 300a through the battery device 200, the
charging tray 400 to be described below may first be placed on the
battery device 200 and the battery devices 300a may be installed in
the charging tray 400.
[0168] The power used to charge the battery devices 300a placed on
the charging tray 400 may be supplied directly from the charging
device 120 or may be supplied from the battery device 200. By
supplying the power used to charge the battery devices 300a from
the battery device 200, the power once stored in the battery device
200 can be subdivided to the battery devices 300a.
[0169] Next, a functional configuration of the charging control
device 110 according to the embodiment of the present invention
will be described. FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the functional
configuration of the charging control device 110 according to the
embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the functional
configuration of the charging control device 110 according to the
embodiment of the present invention will be described with
reference to FIG. 16.
[0170] As shown in FIG. 16, the charging control device 110
includes an initial setting unit 111, a power transmission
instruction unit 112, a charging completion notification
acquisition unit 113, and a power transmission completion
notification acquisition unit 114.
[0171] The initial setting unit 111 performs initial setting on a
plurality of battery devices (for example, the battery devices 200)
including a secondary cell therein and the charging devices 120
performing contactless power transmission to the battery devices
that are provided in a stacked manner.
[0172] The power transmission instruction unit 112 gives an
instruction to start the contactless power transmission from the
charging device 120 subjected to the initial setting by the initial
setting unit 111 to the battery devices 200 or from the battery
devices 200 subjected to the initial setting by the initial setting
unit 111 to the charging device 120.
[0173] The charging completion notification acquisition unit 113
acquires a charging completion notification from the completely
charged battery devices 200. After the charging completion
notification acquisition unit 113 acquires the completion
notification, the power transmission instruction unit 112 instructs
the charging device 120 to start the contactless power transmission
to the battery device different from the battery devices previously
instructed to transmit the power.
[0174] The power transmission completion notification acquisition
unit 114 acquires a power transmission completion notification
transmitted from the battery device 200 when the voltage of the
secondary cell included in the battery device 200 reaches a value
equal to or less than a predetermined value. After the power
transmission completion notification acquisition unit 114 acquires
the completion notification, the power transmission instruction
unit 112 instructs the battery device different from the battery
devices previously instructed to transmit the power to start the
contactless power transmission to the charging device 120.
[0175] The functional configuration of the charging control device
110 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been
described with reference to FIG. 16. Next, an operation of the
power supply system 1 according to the embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0176] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating the overview of the
operation of the power supply system 1 according to the embodiment
of the present invention. In order for the power supply system 1
according to the embodiment of the present invention to charge the
battery devices 200, the charging control device 110 is first
activated (step S11). The activated charging control device 110
confirms information regarding the battery devices 200 (step S12)
and determines whether the battery devices 200 capable of being
charged are present (step S13). When the battery devices 200
capable of being charged are not present, the process ends.
[0177] When the battery devices 200 capable of being charged are
present, the charging control device 110 determines a charging
order of the battery devices 200 (step S14). Any charging order of
the battery devices 200 can be determined. For example, the
charging control device 110 may determine the charging order of the
battery devices 200 so that the battery device 200 with a smaller
charging amount is preferentially charged or may determine the
charging order of the battery devices 200 so that the battery
device 200 with a larger charging amount is preferentially charged.
Of course, the determination of the charging order of the battery
devices 200 is not limited to the above examples.
[0178] When the charging control device 110 determines the charging
order of the battery devices 200, the charging control device 110
instructs the charging device 120 to transmit the power to the
battery device 200 in the determined charging order (step S15).
Then, the charging control device 110 determines whether the
charging device 120 completes the transmission of the power to the
battery device 200 (step S16). When the transmission of the power
is not completed, the transmission of the power to the battery
device 200 continues. Conversely, when the transmission of the
power is completed, the process returns to step S13. The series of
processes continues, until the battery devices 200 capable of being
charged are not present.
[0179] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
power supply system 1 according to the embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 18, to facilitate the description of the
operation of the power supply system 1, two battery devices 200a
and 200b are illustrated. Hereinafter, the operation of the power
supply system 1 according to the embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIG. 18.
[0180] The charging control device 110 performs initial setting on
a plurality of battery devices (for example, the battery devices
200) including a secondary cell therein and the charging devices
120 performing contactless power transmission to the battery
devices that are provided in a stacked manner (steps S101, S102,
and S103). The initial setting is performed by, for example, the
initial setting unit 111. Here, the initial setting may include,
for example, a process of confirming information regarding the
battery devices that are provided in a stacked manner, a process of
confirming information regarding the battery devices capable of
being charged, and a process of determining a charging order.
[0181] When the initial setting is completed, the charging control
device 110 gives an instruction to start the contactless power
transmission from the charging device 120 subjected to the initial
setting to the battery device 200a (step S104). The instruction to
start the contactless power transmission is given by, for example,
the power transmission instruction unit 112. The charging device
120 receiving the instruction to start the contactless power
transmission starts the contactless power transmission to the
battery device 200a (step S105).
[0182] When the battery device 200a is completely charged through
the contactless power transmission by the charging device 120, the
battery device 200a transmits a charging completion notification to
the charging control device 110 (step S106). The charging
completion notification from the battery device 200a is acquired
by, for example, the charging completion notification acquisition
unit 113. When the charging control device 110 acquires the
completion notification from the battery device 200a, the charging
control device 110 gives an instruction to start contactless power
transmission from the charging device 120 to the battery device
200b (step S107). The instruction to start the contactless power
transmission is given by, for example, the power transmission
instruction unit 112. The charging device 120 receiving the
instruction to start the contactless power transmission starts the
contactless power transmission to the battery device 200b (step
S108).
[0183] When the battery device 200b is completely charged through
the contactless power transmission by the charging device 120, the
battery device 200b transmits a charging completion notification to
the charging control device 110 (step S109). The charging
completion notification from the battery device 200b is acquired
by, for example, the charging completion notification acquisition
unit 113. The charging control device 110 subsequently repeats the
processes from the process of transmitting the power transmission
instruction to the process of acquiring the charging completion
notification, until all of the battery devices subjected to the
initial setting are completely charged.
[0184] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the
power supply system 1 according to the embodiment of the present
invention. In FIG. 19, to facilitate the description of the
operation of the power supply system 1, two battery devices 200a
and 200b are illustrated. Hereinafter, the operation of the power
supply system 1 according to the embodiment of the present
invention will be described with reference to FIG. 19.
[0185] The charging control device 110 performs initial setting on
a plurality of battery devices (for example, the battery devices
200) including a secondary cell therein and the charging devices
120 performing contactless power transmission to the battery
devices that are provided in a stacked manner (steps S111, S112,
and S113). The initial setting is performed by, for example, the
initial setting unit 111. Here, the initial setting may include,
for example, a process of confirming information regarding the
battery devices that are provided in a stacked manner, a process of
confirming information regarding the battery devices which can
transmit power, and a process of determining a power transmission
order.
[0186] When the initial setting is completed, the charging control
device 110 gives an instruction to start the contactless power
transmission from the battery device 200a subjected to the initial
setting to the charging device 120 (step S114). The instruction to
start the contactless power transmission is given by, for example,
the power transmission instruction unit 112. The battery device
200a receiving the instruction to start the contactless power
transmission starts the contactless power transmission to the
charging device 120 (step S115).
[0187] When the voltage of the internal secondary cell becomes
equal to or less than a predetermined value through the contactless
power transmission to the charging device 120, the battery device
200a transmits a power transmission completion notification to the
charging control device 110 (step S116). The power transmission
completion notification from the battery device 200a is acquired
by, for example, the power transmission completion notification
acquisition unit 114. When the charging control device 110 acquires
the power transmission completion notification from the battery
device 200a, the charging control device 110 gives an instruction
to start contactless power transmission from the battery device
200b to the charging device 120 (step S117). The instruction to
start the contactless power transmission is given by, for example,
the power transmission instruction unit 112. The battery device
200b receiving the instruction to start the contactless power
transmission starts the contactless power transmission to the
charging device 120 (step S118).
[0188] When the voltage of the internal secondary cell becomes
equal to or less than a predetermined value through the contactless
power transmission to the charging device 120, the battery device
200b transmits a power transmission completion notification to the
charging control device 110 (step S119). The charging completion
notification from the battery device 200b is acquired by, for
example, the charging completion notification acquisition unit 113.
The charging control device 110 subsequently repeats the processes
from the process of transmitting the power transmission instruction
to the process of acquiring the power transmission completion
notification, until the transmission of the power to all the
battery devices subjected to the initial setting is completed.
2. Application Examples
[0189] In the power supply system 1 described above, the
contactless power feeding from the charging device 120 to the
battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c can be performed under
the control of the charging control device 110. However,
predetermined information may be superimposed on the power output
from the charging device 120 and the contactless power feeding to
the battery devices 200, 300a, 300b, and 300c may be performed.
[0190] For example, when a television is operated by the power
stored in the battery device 200, advertisement contents for a
video may be stored along with the power in the battery device 200
and the advertisement contents may be displayed when the television
is used. Further, for example, when a radio, a portable music
player, or the like is operated by the power stored in the battery
device 300a, audio advertisement contents may be stored along with
the power in the battery device 300a and the advertisement contents
may be output when the radio, the portable music player, or the
like is used.
[0191] Since the charging device 120 or the battery device 200 has
the substantially regular hexagonal plane shape, the power supply
system that is easy to increase or decrease can be realized. For
example, since the charging device can be configured by arranging
the plurality of charging devices 120 having the substantially
regular hexagonal plane shapes, the plurality of charging devices
120 having the substantially regular hexagonal plane shapes may be
configured to be joined together.
3. Summarization
[0192] In the power supply system 1 according to the embodiment of
the present invention, as described above, the secondary cells
installed inside the battery devices 200 can be charged by stacking
the battery devices 200 on the charging device 120 and performing
the contactless power feeding from the charging device 120 to the
battery devices 200 under the control of the charging control
device 110.
[0193] By configuring the power supply system 1 in this way, as
described above, users can use electric energy, when the users
desire to use the electric energy. Further, since the power supply
system 1 is easy to increase or decrease and it is not necessary to
install power wires, the initial investment of infrastructures can
be reduced.
[0194] The plurality of battery devices 200 can be stacked on the
charging device 120. Accordingly, according to the embodiment of
the present invention, the contactless power feeding from the
charging device 120 to the plurality of battery devices 200 can be
realized, when the plurality of battery devices 200 are stacked on
the charging device 120. At this time, by sequentially switching
the power feeding destination of the charging device 120 under the
control of the charging control device 110, the contactless power
feeding to the plurality of battery devices 200 can be
performed.
[0195] In the above-described embodiment, the charging device 120
and the battery device 200 have the bottom surfaces of the same
substantially regular hexagonal shape and each have the main body
with a predetermined height, but the present invention is not
limited thereto. For example, the bottom surface of the charging
device 120 may have a regular hexagonal shape larger than the
bottom surface of the battery device 200, and vice versa.
[0196] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been
described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, whilst
the present invention is not limited to the above examples, of
course. A person skilled in the art may find various alternations
and modifications within the scope of the appended claims, and it
should be understood that they will naturally come under the
technical scope of the present invention.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0197] 1 Power supply system [0198] 10 Power plant [0199] 20 Solar
cell [0200] 30 Wind power generator [0201] 100 Charging control
system [0202] 110 Charging control device [0203] 120 Charging
device [0204] 121 Hole [0205] 122 Convex portion [0206] 125 Main
body [0207] 126 Locking portion [0208] 131 Coil [0209] 132 Power
reception circuit [0210] 133 Power source unit [0211] 134 Power
transmission circuit [0212] 200, 300a, 300b, 300c Battery device
[0213] 201 Hole [0214] 202 Guide portion [0215] 203 Handle [0216]
211 Coil [0217] 212 Power reception circuit [0218] 213 Power
storage unit [0219] 214 Power transmission circuit [0220] 301
Handle [0221] 302 Supporting member [0222] 400 Charging tray [0223]
401 Convex portion
* * * * *